Definition: The chemical element (symbol Na) with an atomic number of 11 and atomic weight of 22.98977. It is a soft, waxy, silvery, reactive alkali metal that is never found unbound in nature.

Alright class, settle down, let’s dive in today! We're tackling ‘sodium,’ a fascinating piece of the puzzle – you see, it’s more than just a word in a book. Let’s break it down with a little rhyme to help it stick: "Sodium," you say, “what does it mean?” A chemical element, a silvery sheen! With atomic number eleven, that's the key, And a weight of twenty-two and nine, you agree? (22.98977 to be precise, don’t forget!) Now, let’s look at what the dictionary tells us: It's described as soft and waxy, like a little waxen friend. It’s reactive – meaning it likes to interact! And it's an alkali metal, that means it’s quite lively and eager to bond. But here’s the important part, listen close and slow: Sodium is never found all by itself you know. It loves to be with other elements, it doesn’t like to roam free! It's usually found combined in compounds – think of table salt (sodium chloride) for example. Think of it this way: sodium is a bit of a social butterfly, always looking for a partner! Do you have any questions about that? Let’s discuss what this all means and how it fits into the grand scheme of chemistry.